Decorating the Living Room With Paintings: Top 5 Basic Rules

Paintings are a universal way of decorating the wall space, which due to its simplicity and availability has become a classic. Paintings will decorate any room, but the living room is the ideal place for their placement. After all, it’s the living room that needs an exclusive atmosphere, not only memorable but also disposing to communicate. Paintings are always in fashion, but still, to create a modern living room interior, we recommend to be guided by several rules.

Consider the Influence of Paintings on the Perception of the Living Space

For a small room with low ceilings, choose elongated paintings in a vertical orientation. Do not forget about the proportionality of the size of the canvas and the room. Massive paintings look absurd in a small living room, just like small paintings look absurd in a big one. But there are exceptions. For example, a composition of many small paintings on one wall is quite appropriate for a spacious room. Large abstractions, landscapes with a perspective visually increase the depth of space, favorably adding to the available area a couple of square meters.

There may be situations where there are no windows in the adjoining living room after the redevelopment. Then pay attention to modular paintings, the plot of which resembles a view from the window. Each fragment of such an image imitates a part of the landscape. To enhance the resemblance of a modular picture with a window, choose options that provide for framing each part in a separate frame.

Remember That the Picture Sets the Mood of the Interior

The bigger the picture, the more significant its influence on the general perception. We can notice it not only in the interior but also in the virtual world while searching for sports betting online options or looking for a movie to watch tonight. A single picture can drastically change the atmosphere of the living room, both for the better and for the worse.

If the interior abounds in bright details, a monochrome painting will soften it. On the contrary, a catchy artistic canvas will effectively diversify the monotonous environment.

If the living room seems too traditional and even boring, hang pictures asymmetrically. And symmetrically arranged images of the same size will put even the most chaotic interior in order.

When choosing a picture keep in mind that its color scheme and subject should be reflected in one or several interior objects. For example, a painting with poppies would look harmoniously above the red sofa.

Study the Whole Range of Modern Paintings

The variety of modern paintings is not limited to the usual paintings or graphics written by the hand of the artist. In order to choose the most suitable for your interior, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the entire range of possible solutions.

Oil painting in a massive baguette is suitable for a classic living room. Place such a canvas is better above the sofa or fireplace. But much depends on the technique in which the picture is painted. Canvases painted with a mastichen, will fit even in the most extravagant interior.

Acrylic paintings look harmonious in the living room, decorated in the style of pop art or vintage traditions. Bright images also look good in eclectic living rooms.

Watercolor paintings will be an unobtrusive addition to interiors. You can make a whole gallery out of watercolors even in a small living room. Such a watercolor collection looks light and airy.

Graphics in thin frames would decorate complex eclectic interiors. The image under glass doesn’t weigh down the interior but makes it exquisite.

The poster, which is an image printed on paper, looks harmoniously in the living room in the style of high-tech, Scandinavian, contemporaneous or minimalist.

Photographic paintings, but only if they have a real artistic value, are a worthy substitute for paintings or graphics. Portraits from semi-professional photoshoots made by a provincial craftsman, or photos from resort towns have nothing to do with paintings. Keep them as a reminder of a pleasant time spent, not putting them on public display in the hope of impressing the guests of your home.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of canvas prints are also no substitute for real canvases or quality posters. From a distance, images on canvas may look good. But when you approach it, the positive emotions quickly fade. The exceptions are quality photo paintings on canvas.

A similar situation is observed with modular paintings, which in recent years are produced everywhere and on an industrial scale. So their price is more than democratic in comparison with paintings. The average person who decides to buy a modular painting and is not familiar with the intricacies of design is quite easy to fall into the trap of tastelessness. So, it’s recommended in the case of paintings not to save money. If the concept of modular images you really like, order their painting from a real artist.

When Choosing a Painting, Listen to How You Feel

Existing rules of color combinations and other laws of design are very important. But your feelings should not be neglected, especially when choosing a picture in the living room, where a pleasant and friendly atmosphere is of paramount importance.

How to check in practice whether the picture will not worsen the living room environment on an emotional level? Take a fabric whose color is close to the dominant color in the painting. For example, if the canvas is a seascape, you will need a blue textile. Put it against the wall, look around the living room. Then close your eyes and listen to how you feel. If the living room is remembered as cozy, and the impression left is pleasant – then feel free to buy the picture you like.